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LAHORE:The government’s decision to import 750,000 tonnes of wheat exposes the failure of its wheat policy, flawed production estimates and inability to protect local growers from market exploitation, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Punjab Kisan Wing General Secretary MianEjazShafi said on Wednesday.
In a press statement, Shafi said the PTI had warned about the wheat situation well before the start of the season. He alleged that the government had failed to establish an effective procurement mechanism, forcing farmers to sell wheat below the cost of production, and was now preparing to spend foreign exchange to make up for the resulting shortfall.
The government has formally approved the import of 750,000 metric tonnes of wheat, with the Trading Corporation of Pakistan issuing an international tender. Under the tender, the wheat will be imported on a cost-and-freight basis through Karachi and/or Gwadar ports and must be from the latest 2026 crop.
Shafi questioned the need for imports when local growers had repeatedly complained about depressed prices and inadequate market support. He said the decision also raised questions about the accuracy of official production estimates, particularly in view of earlier claims of a bumper harvest.
He alleged that contradictory production data had resulted in poor planning, with farmers and consumers ultimately bearing the cost. According to Shafi, rising fertiliser, diesel and electricity prices had pushed the cost of producing a maund of wheat to around Rs4,000, while distressed farmers had been forced to sell it for about Rs3,000 per maund.
He further alleged that the absence of effective public procurement had created opportunities for middlemen and hoarders to buy wheat from farmers at low prices, hold stocks and later sell them at significantly higher rates.
Shafi also criticised the government’s reliance on digital initiatives, including the Bardana App and Electronic Warehouse Receipt system, saying technology could not replace a coherent agricultural policy, transparent procurement and effective market regulation.
He called for an independent review of official wheat production estimates and proposed a centralised wheat policy council comprising farmers, agricultural experts, economists and government representatives. He also urged the government to introduce a predictable procurement and pricing mechanism ahead of the next wheat season, reduce input costs and ensure growers received a remunerative price.Shafi warned that continued policy inconsistency could discourage wheat production and further aggravate the country’s food-security challenges.
